UK Film Review: The Hangover

The Hangover (2009) is hilarious. The Vegas bachelor party gone wrong premise is nothing new, but the story itself progresses so fast and with so many witty one-liners that the crowd of boozy lads this film is clearly aiming at should have a cracking time.

“You’re kidding?” blasts Phil as he spots what Alan is wearing. To Phil, Alan is deranged for even thinking of setting foot on the casino floor in anything less than a suit. In his eyes you have to get dressed up to get wasted.

Eventually though, when this whacked out quartet surface the next day in a puddle of vomit and warm champagne, their specially prepared clothes have disintegrated as fast as their situation; Phil spends the rest of the movie accumulating blood on his shirt like a macabre keepsake. When all comes good in the closing moments and a rent-a-tux van (genius) pings emergency supplies at the guys across a busy freeway, their lives can start over. It’s the ritual: new shirt, new day.

With comedy gold moments such as intoxicated Phil dry-humping a tiger, Stu berating his harpy of a fiancé, and a lounge version of 50 Cent’s ‘Candy shop’ that should be sung at every wedding ever, The Hangover obeys the first rule of comedy: to make you laugh. Thankfully it also finds room for interesting, very likable, perfectly played characters who are easy to relate to and deep down decent enough to care about.

There is not a drop of sentiment here however. Unless you consider Alan slicing open his palm in a vain attempt to integrate the gang as ‘blood brothers’ sentimental? Though his wolf pack speech is actually rather sweet, in a lonely-man-on-the -verge-of-a-breakdown kind of way. Best not to question exactly why Alan is banned from being anywhere near a school either.

The Hangover is sharp, side-splittingly funny and sure to become one of the top ten guy movies of all time. If only real hangovers were this much fun.

I don’t have a link to the exact suit I’m afraid as it would have been from the previous season. It’s a black SB tone on tone – and, you’re right, looking on the site there is not a comparable style currently available. The Mick Dressed wool blazer is certainly a similar cut though.

Thanks Chris! That helps me a lot!!! 🙂 You wouldn’t by chance to happen to know what material was used for the J. Lindeberg Suit that Bradley Cooper wore? Trying to get one custom made in Japan and need to know the type of material to go buy. Anymore information you could give me would be awesome!!

I don’t know exactly, I’m afraid. I could ask the costume designer but it will likely take a while to get a response. My best guess would be something like a lightweight virgin wool – that should work out fine for you.

Try looking through THIS article where I interviewed costume designer for The Hangover, Louise Mingenbach. She clearly had a fun time putting together the guys’ distinctive looks.

I was under the impression from Louise that the wedding chapel used in The Hangover was real, as supposedly the suits were hired along with the venue, but apparently it was purpose built on a back lot in Vegas for the movie.

It shouldn’t be too difficult to track down those lovely suits for rental though. For example, THIS company has some great ones. Must say I’m keen on ‘Vintage Rust’ myself.

Chris is there any chance you can tell me the maker of the black and copper shirt worn by Bradley cooper toward the end of the movie….. From the scene at the casino with Jack… to the drive back to the LA to go to the wedding